The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has commended the Supreme Court for restoring the autonomy of the local governments in Nigeria through its recent ruling.
IPAC said this action is a clear victory for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.
This is just as the Council called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to set up a monitoring team to ensure funds released to Local Governments are prudently and judiciously used for the good of the people.
According to IPAC, this will guard against unscrupulous elements from devising new means of siphoning the funds.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the National Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle said the Judiciary has again shown that it is the Temple of Justice and beacon of hope for aggrieved persons.
He said the Federal Government’s action in instituting the suit to liberate the 774 Local Governments from the clutches of State Governors is the best decision it has taken so far.
“It is a giant step forward in revamping the economy and bolstering grassroots development across the country.
“It is unfortunate that Governors who ought to have bolstered Local Government development in the country chose to suffocate it by retaining and utilizing funds meant for the Local Government Areas in flagrant violation of Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
“IPAC has been in the vanguard for full autonomy of Local Governments as clearly provided for in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and abolition of the ill-conceived appointment of Caretaker Committees, an affront to the constitution.
“Council celebrates this milestone in our democratic process, and will resist any attempt to undermine the nation’s hard-earned democracy,” he said.
He, therefore said “To maximize this development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should immediately set up a monitoring team to ensure funds released to Local Governments are prudently and judiciously used for the good of the people. This will guard against unscrupulous elements from devising new means of siphoning the funds.
“There must be transparency, probity, and accountability in the utilization of funds allocated to the Local Government Areas. With this historic judgment, Nigerians expect rapid development of Local Government Areas as millions of jobs will be created to curb unemployment thus, curtail crimes in the country”.
Also, IPAC is advocating for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), according to the Council, they have proven to be incompetent and incapable of conducting free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections.
“They have become mere appendages of various government houses. SIECs do not have voter registers, BVAS, IReV portals, ballot boxes, etc, essential in conducting credible polls. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu rightly described Local Government elections as coronation of candidates of the ruling political parties.
“The State Independent Electoral Commission is a dent in the nation’s hard-earned democracy. It is time to stop the charade called SIEC elections if we are serious and determined to deepen democracy in Nigeria.
“To restore confidence in the electoral process, INEC should be empowered and mandated to conduct all the Local Governments elections in Nigeria.
“Politics is local, citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics and contribute to building a better society. Nigerians desire and deserve credible elections as sovereignty resides in the people,” the Council noted.
